Midwest Book Review
Surviving Paradise: the Perils and Pleasures of the Caribbean, an auto-fiction novel by Bryan M. Byrd, is a diverse, dramatic story combining autobiography with fictional elements.
Expect anecdotes and threads of humor, romance, and unexpected adventure as the exploration of how Bryan became a sailor and adventurer is introduced with an immediate draw from the first line: “I didn’t trust Rocco, but had no choice.”
As a passenger on a sailboat who knew nothing about sailing, Bryan finds himself in a situation where “…between Rocco and the Bermuda Triangle, I feared Rocco more.” Talk about a sailing trip gone awry!
The action and adventure unfold as relentlessly as the waves which buffet Bryan’s life as one exploit after another turns the tides from a well-earned, secure life to one which feels like it’s approaching its end.
But, that’s often the nature of adventure, which also brings with it a healthy dose of discovery, attraction, beach scenes and experiences, as Bryan explores the Caribbean and the psyche simultaneously.
Readers might be pleasantly surprised by the psychological insights which permeate the narrative as much as its humor: these emerge at unexpected moments: “…take responsibility for your condition. Then change it. Blaming someone else gets you nowhere, and keeps you there. . . . When choosing a mind-altering substance, choose education . . . . I’d rather be alone than wishing I were.”
From the Bahamas to Turks & Caicos, to the Virgin Islands, this sailing saga cultivates a “you are here” feeling—of rocking boats, changing lives, evolving nature, personal, interpersonal, and worldly discoveries. These inject the story with action-packed scenarios as well as lazy days aboard a sailboat facing nautical adversity and pleasures alike.
This is no one-trip wonder, but incorporates decades of experience into a story which is as notable for its insights on love and growth as it is for its treasure hunts of discovery.
And, there’s no more perfect beach read to take to the sands; readers will find Surviving Paradise: the Perils and Pleasures of the Caribbean the perfect antidote for a life stuck “on the hard.” Libraries and book clubs will appreciate a rollicking good ride through Caribbean encounters and a sailor’s coming-of-age.
- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, 5/8/24
"WOW! A true "Can't put it down till it's done" read"
!"With humor and wit, Bryan takes us on a journey few have the courage to chance. Whether it is doing something so out of the ordinary like sailing from the coast of Florida to the US Virgin Islands with only a crash course in sailing and windup doing so with someone you don't know or like, or having the time to commit to the length of time it will take to sail this journey, Bryan does it for us. Through the beautiful descriptions of the stops along the way, his near-death experiences battling Mother Nature, and the chance encounters that melt your heart, it is an adventure worth taking with him. So, take the plunge; “batten the hatches and hoist those sails.” It is a book you won't be able to put down!" - Icecr8, 4/21/24
"Great Book!"
"I learned about sailing, garnered interesting tidbits of history, and went on a grand adventure. It is everything you could want in a book." -Teresa W., 4/29/24
"Amazing Sailing Adventure"
"What a fun book about sailing! Surviving Paradise paints a beautiful picture of the colorful Caribbean, with a lot of humor. From crazy boatmates to sailing mishaps, Byrd makes me laugh throughout. His distinct voice makes me feel like I'm along for the ride. Absolutely recommend!" -Kaitlyn Jain, 4/22/24
"Great book you won't be disappointed"
"I have not finished the book I have about 15 pages left to read so at this writing I don’t know if any of his love interests stuck, If he will ever get on a boat again, or if he even survived. I stopped 15 pages short of completion because he finally gave a date 1994 so I had to ask my wife when we did a boat charter in the BVI. It was 1991 I continued to read and a few pages on he said he went to The Last Resort that did it I ran to my wife "he went to The Last Resort". I was there for my wife’s 40th birthday. The place is magical It’s a house/bar located on an island the size of a small suburban lot. Boats anchor out and take their dingies to the island. An old man who was younger than I am now played the piano and his daughter sang and the audience sang along. There was a donkey who I think drank beer. Sad to think it probably isn’t still there but at least BB got to see the donkey. While I had a week he had a year full of similar ups and suffered many downs starting with a boatmate from Hell, storms, running aground, mosquitoes, and the girls he left in his wake. The best part of the book is that the author is a wonderful writer. The book is entertaining and chock full of humor. His descriptions of his adventures made you feel you were there. Describing his pleasure of eating an ice cream cone on land after a long time on the boat had me running to the freezer. He gives lots of practical advice like why you should buy good dishes, instructions on how to make a potato gun, and best of all how to live a good life. Today the weather is great, my deck chair is ready I made some Ice tea and I will sadly finish and finally know how it all ends. Buy the book and read it."-Donald Schwartz, 6/8/24
"Sun, sea, sailing and romance..........what's not to like !!"
From time to time something special gets published.........Surviving Paradise is one such book. This is a story you can pick up and put down, but you won't want to put it down. So insightful into the ways of life and people: clearly a writer who notices all that goes on around him, and not a wasted word.
Pack this book for a plane ride, a vacation, or a lazy day at home........whichever way, enjoy a riveting and informative voyage around the Caribbean.
- lymington, 6/3/24
"Well Done!"
The book is aptly name – and spoiler alert – Bryan does survive the perils and the pleasures. the 300 pages manage to encapsulate the full realm of life. Peppered with wit and wisdom, one walks away from this book with a greater appreciation of life and its mysteries. There are many quotable passages – my favorite is: “Of all of the mind altering substances in the world, education provides the longest, most satisfying high, and a desirable death rate of zero, in stark contrast to the others.” This book reaffirms the notion that true learning does not come from the ivory towers - it comes from a life well lived.
-J.S. Hill, 6/17/24
"Humor and suspense"
I'm no sailor, yet this tale enthralled me from start to finish. This guy has some pair, going on this voyage with a friend but also with a silent curmudgeon, and with not-enough knowledge of sailing. Yet at one point he is essentially the captain of the ship. The writer conveys in detail experiences both harrowing (near death) and sublime (sights during dives). He's funny and sarcastic; must have some Irish in him. Some great life lessons along the way.
-Patrick B, 9/1/24
"A real page turner that once you begin reading you can't put down"
The author present the inspiration truth that courage is going forward to do what is right to finish a mission in extremely challenging circumstances while at the same time building relationships that are not perfect but reflect the human condition of displaying courage under adversity.
-Ronald Zybura, 7/14/24
"Cruise the Caribbean - A Rollicking Ride!"
Sprinkled with adventure, island history, friendship, humor, and philosophy, this memoir captures a two-month sail from Florida to the Virgin Islands--a trip of a lifetime of which most of us can only dream. Byrd's clever use of language will keep you amused as he recalls the old salts, lovely ladies, and lively locals he encountered along the way.
-CountrysideFlair, 7/15/24